The Japanese Communist Party has called on the new leadership of the Democratic Party to swiftly convene a meeting of the four allied opposition parties to discuss electoral cooperation in preparing for the three Lower House by-elections slated for October 22.

There is little time left before the 12-day campaign period for the by-elections officially starts in Aomori, Niigata, and Ehime prefectures.

JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira held a press conference in the Diet building on September 4, requesting that the DP under its new leader Maehara Seiji call a meeting so that the JCP, the Liberal Party, and the Social Democratic Party can get together with the DP to start negotiations for the joint struggle in the upcoming by-elections.

Koike said, “These elections are a good chance to reject Abe’s runaway policies of using national politics in his personal interest, trying to cover up information that he wants to keep secret, and trampling on the Constitution.”

He also said, “United efforts between the opposition parties and concerned citizens in the election campaign will make it possible for us to bring about a victory.” He pointed to the need for agreement among the four parties over a common campaign platform and mutual support in selecting candidates as preconditions for electoral cooperation.